MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

42. Before The D Day!

~ Some surprises are worth the short timed tears~

Manik was sitting in his office, idle physically but mentally was running marathons. He was confused and frustrated at the same time. It was his girl's birthday, first birthday together-to be specific, and he had nothing planned until then. Actually planning was a big thing, he had not even thought what to do. When it came to Nandini it was very easy to know what she would be happy with and at the same time, very tough.

Because simple things take the most proper planning u know!

Not knowing what to do, he at the end called a number he knew was his only helpline. The call was received after seven consistent rings.

" How long are you going to celebrate your honeymoon man? Atleast have the courtesy to attend a call", Manik said with a frustrated voice and on the other side, Kabir burst out laughing.

" How am I supposed to know that you are going to miss me so much even after having Nandini by your side?", Kabir teased him and Navya giggled along with him while Manik felt like banging his head somewhere!

" Kabir yaar...stop with your lame jokes and help me...I am confused", Manik cribbed and Kabir stopped laughing.

" Why, what happened now?", Kabir asked controlling his laughter and Manik again whined.

" If you get your mind out of your honeymoon you will remember that it's Nandini 's birthday on Wednesday...", Manik stated sarcastically and Kabir's face was devoid of all its colour.

" Shit! And still I haven't decided her special gift...she is going to kill me this time...", Kabir was blabbering and Manik was like what the hell. Kabir needed just one gift and was acting paranoid, whole he who had to plan an entire day, and had done nothing was listening to Kabir crib.

" Kabir can you help me out or not?", Manik said frustrated and Navya snatched the phone from Kabir on the other side.

" By god Manik, whom have you called for help? This idiot! Ignore him, I will help!", She said excitedly and Manik face palmed himself to bear the upcoming melodrama, because if Navya wa involved, every thing had to be downright dramatic!

" By the way it's her 25th birthday right?", Navya questioned and he nodded.

The next hour went in discussing the theme, colour, gifts and everything to make Nandini 's birthday the most memorable one. As Navya started with her rant, even Manik started thinking some of his own improvisations amd at the end it was a full fledged plan ready..

" So Ms. Murthy, be ready to get the most pleasurable shock of your life...", Manik whispered as he went out for the preparations.

Two days flew away just like that, with Manik being super busy, so much that he could not even receive Nandini's calls. He was out of office most of the time, siting on site work, and Nandini would not be allowed to come for obvious reasons.

It was Monday evening, and now Nandini was sitting grumpy. Manik had not even called back . Not a message even. He was busy, agreed but he could spare a minute for her atleast. She went office too but he was out for some urgent meeting. And now it was quite late, 11 pm to be exact and he was not even back from office. She was tensed , worried and angry- all at once. And to increase her temper she received a text message from Manik .

" Hi Nandini ...I know you are worried and angry too but what can I do? This on-site work needed to be finalized today itself and hence I had to come to Lonavala for it. I won't be back home today. Dont wait and have your food properly. Will be back by Thursday morning."

And all it did was to anger her more amd in her anger, tears made their way out. He really forgot her birthday? He won't be here tomorrow, with her? So bad of him. She decided to not talk to him. And she won't tell him too that it was her birthday. Thinking every curse for him that she also wished that should never ever reach him, she drifted off to sleep.

It was already 10 pm by Tuesday night and still Manik was not back. Even Veebha maa had went out of station to meet her old friend and was not back. Nandini was bored sitting alone but more than that she was upset as the people she loved the most had forgotten her birthday, or so she thought. At exact 11:45 her cellphone rang, which she almost ran to grab and she was both delighted and sad to see the caller name. It was Mukti. She managed to stick to her record even this year, when the person who wished it to break was the birthday girl herself. She desperately wanted Manik to wish her first, but sadly, it didn't happen!

" Hello..I won na?", Mukti asked with lots and lots of hope and Nandini chuckled at her excitement.

" Yeah...as always...", She replied laughing.

" God ! I was so sacred as this time I had two competitors rather than one...uff", Mukti blurted and Nandini was startled.

" Two...?? one is Pihu I know. Every year you both fight like kids for wishing me first, not that I am complaining. But who is the second one?", Nandini asked confused and Mukti bit her tongue.

" Aree...second one is Alya...who else..", Mukti tried her luck which Nandini accepted also.

At exact 12, Mukti exclaimed hard and wished her soul sister the best wishes and a very very happiest birthday. Nandini laughed at her excitement and thanked her.

" Ok now listen, open the door and you will find a parcel. It has a dress for you. Change in it and a car is waiting outside with a chauffeur. Dont ask any questions and do as I say. And do call me after they surprise ends, will be waiting! ", and before Nandini could understand or cross question, the line had already been disconnected, leaving behind a stunned Nandini!

What exactly was Mukti upto?

P.s: Five chapters to go!